Urine Home Analyser

ABSTRACT

A urine analyzer device, configured to be installed in a toilet bowl, to be used several times, the device comprising a holder member, to attach the device to the rim of the toilet bowl, an electronic unit, enclosed in a housing, a urine reception area, with at least one electro-chemical sensor, configured to measure a quantity of at least one substance contained in urine, such as physiological compound or chemical component, a wireless coupler to send resulting data to a remote computing device, wherein the electro-chemical sensor comprises at least a ion selective Field Effect Transistor (ISFET), configured to sense levels of one or more physiological ions, thereby providing a urine analyzer device, readily available at home, simply installed in a toilet bowl, and that can be used several times subsequently.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a urine analyser device, which can beused at home; the invention targets especially an autonomous urineanalyser device which can be installed in the bowl of the toilet.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

As known, urine is an important source of information that reflects thehealth condition of an individual. Several biological parameters arereflected in urine. Absolute levels of several biological parameters andalso evolution over time of several biological parameters areinteresting to be obtained from samples of urine. It is a goal tomonitor various health parameters, otherwise called ‘bio-markers’, thatcan be deduced from periodic urine analysis at home in a non-medicalenvironment. This is generally helpful to help enhance personal wellnessand help reduce some risk factors.

Various minor disorders can he detected early by analysis of evolutionsand trends of personal biological parameters.

Additionally, dysfunctions such as pancreatic disorders (typically,diabetes), hypohepatia, and kidney disorders, can be detectedadvantageously in a non-invasive manner by performing quantitativeanalysis of certain urine constituents, such as glucose, protein,urobilinogen, occult blood and other substances.

Accordingly, there have been proposed in the art toilets having a urineanalysis function which are capable of performing sampling and analysisof urine so as to assist the individuals in rendering their health checkby making use of toilets provided in at home, without excluding officesand other facilities.

It is known in the art, as taught by U.S. Pat. No. 5,720,054 [TOTO], toinstall a urine analyser device in the bowl of the toilet. However, theknown devices are very complicated, requires many connexions, and areexpensive and furthermore it does not handle multiple users.

Therefore, there is a need to bring new solutions to provide urineanalyser devices to be used at home in the standard toilet.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

According to a first aspect of the present invention, it is proposed anurine analyzer device, configured to be installed in a toilet bowl, tobe used several times, the device comprising:

-   a holder member (9), to attach the device to the rim of the toilet    bowl,-   an electronic unit (4), enclosed in a housing,-   a urine reception area (2), with at least one electro-chemical    sensor (3), configured to measure a quantity of at least a    substance, such as physiological compound or chemical component,    contained in urine,-   a wireless coupler (5) to send resulting data to a remote computing    device (50), wherein the electro-chemical sensor (3) comprises at    least one ion selective Field Effect Transistor (ISFET), configured    to sense levels of one or more physiological ions. Thereby there is    provided a urine analyzer device, readily available at home, simply    installed in a toilet bowl, and that can be used several times    subsequently.

Thanks to the disclosed features, an individual can follow some healthindicators like pH of urine, or the concentration of one or morephysiological ions in urine.

The measure of the quantity of one above-mentioned substance (like Na+,K+, Ca2+, Mg2+Cl—.) is advantageously made in situ, within the urineanalyzer device; no additional device nearby the toilet is required.

Thanks to the coupling with a remote internet-enabled device, the usercan share some of the collected data with a physician, hospitalpractitioner, etc . . .

The remote computing device can be a smartphone, but it should beunderstood that, instead of a smartphone, any more generally speakingportable electronic device can also be used (such as a tablet, aphablet, a PDA, a laptop computer, etc).

In various embodiments of the invention, one may possibly have recoursein addition to one and/or other of the following features/arrangements.

According to one option, the ion selective Field Effect Transistorcomprises a reference electrode at the gate area of the transistor, thereference electrode containing a gel electrolyte, and a urine samplewhen present is interposed between the reference electrode and the gateport (G) of the transistor. This configuration named “wet configuration”is simple and reliable.

According to one option, the ion selective Field Effect Transistorcomprises a reference electrode at the gate area of the transistor, thereference electrode containing powder or solid compound and a urinesample when present is interposed between the reference electrode andthe gate port (G) of the transistor. This configuration named “dryconfiguration” is easy to prepare and store before use.

According to one option, the ion selective Field Effect Transistor isselective to hydrogen ions, whereby the pH of urine is measured with asensitive membrane interposed between urine sample when present and thegate port (G) of the transistor; we note here that in order to maintainthe pH of blood in a narrow range [7.35-7.45], pH in urine varies in therange [4.5-8].

The device may further comprise at least two additional ion selectiveField Effect Transistors:

-   one for measuring the concentration of Ca2+ ions to determine    Calcium level in urine,-   one for measuring the concentration of K+ ions to determine the    Potassium level in urine, each of them comprising a specific. ion    selective membrane interposed between a urine sample when present    and the gate port (G) of the transistor.

Such a triple-sensor configuration turns to be a cost effective solutionto follow three of the most important physiological ions.

According to one option, the device may further comprise a calibrationsolution reservoir arranged above the electro-chemical sensor toperiodically provide a drop of calibration solution on the ion selectiveField Effect Transistor, preferably one drop every period, said periodbeing comprised between 15 and 45 days. Periodic recalibration enablesto compensate for the drift.

When the device comprises: two or more selective Field EffectTransistors, at least two ion selective Field Effect Transistors canadvantageously share a same reference electrode (80). This furtheroptimizes the cost of the solution.

According to one option, the reception area further comprises as electrochemical sensor at least an (biological) enzyme selective Field EffectTransistor (enFET). One or more membranes each selective to a particularcompound enables to sense levels of some products like albumin, glucose,blood cells, nitrites, etc . . .

The enzyme selective Field Effect Transistor may comprise a referenceelectrode; this reference electrode may be preferably made from Ag/AgCl.This is easy to prepare and store before use.

The electro-chemical sensor (3) may further comprise a 3-electrodesensing unit (8″), provided with a reference electrode, a workingelectrode and a counter electrode, all arranged in a screen printedelectrode configuration. Mechatronic integration can thus be optimized.

The urine reception area may comprise a porous structure that can bewetted by a flow of urine excreted by a user, and rinsed subsequently bythe flush of the toilet. The measure can be performed nearly on-the-fly;since a small quantity (but sufficient) of urine is retained by theporous structure. The rinsing can be accompanied by acalibration/recalibration operation.

The urine reception area can form a cup, the device further comprising acontrolled discharge valve,→buffer volume to ease optical sensing.

There may be provided a user feedback formed as a visual or auditivefeedback.

This provides a Led light signal or a Beep to acknowledge: exemplifiedmessages are “enough urine”/“end of measurement”.

The electronic unit 4 may be at least partly housed in the holder member9. This allows a good mechatronics integration. The device is small,easy to install; The device can be easily removed when cleaning thetoilet bowl;

The urine reception area can be movable with respect to the holdermember 9 such that the urine reception area can be located closer to thecenter of the bowl upon actuation from the user. This can be amechanical linkage or a degree of freedom enabling to displace the urinereception area. Automatic return to a side position is preferred, e.g.when enough urine is received.

The electro chemical sensor may be configured to measure a quantity ofone or more of the following substances:

H+, Na+, K+, Ca2+, Mg2+, Cl—, H₂O₂, Glucose, Nitrites, Proteins,Oestrogenes, Luteinine Hormone, Beta-HCG Hormone (pregnancy marker),Creatinin.

Thereby, many health indicators can be followed. Particularly,albumin/protein levels present in urine can be measured and followedover time. Particularly, pregnancy testing can be provided with thisdevice.

The urine analyser device may further comprise an optical sensor 6,configured to measure color and opacity of the urine; Thereby urinedensity and color index can be inferred as personal biological index(es)to be followed.

The urine reception area 2 is detachably mounted to the holder member.(for deep cleaning and/or exchange after N uses)

The device may further comprise a microphone and/or a basic fingerprintsensor arranged on the portion of the device located outside the toiletbowl. For User recognition among several users;

According to a second aspect of the present invention, it is proposed asystem comprising a device according to claim 1 and a toilet seat 7having weight sensing elements and impedance measurement elements,configured to recognise a particular user pattern among a plurality ofusers patterns, and to allocate results of urine analysis to therecognised particular user. This configuration is convenient forselective management of multiple users.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other features and advantages of the invention appear from the followingdetailed description of one of its embodiments, given by way ofnon-limiting example, and with reference to the accompanying drawings,in which:

FIG. 1 shows a schematic sectional view of a toilet equipped with aurine analyzer device according to the present disclosure, with twopossible embodiments,

FIG. 2 shows a schematic top view of a toilet of FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 shows a functional and structural block diagram

FIG. 4 shows a schematic layout and one example of configuration of thedevice

FIGS. 4A and 4B show enlarged views of variants of the reception areawith several selective sensing devices,

FIG. 5 shows an overall system view.

FIGS. 6A and 6B show a schematic layout of urine analyzer devices withcollection position and rest position,

FIG. 7 illustrates diagrammatically a ISFET, i.e. a ion selective FieldEffect Transistor,

FIG. 8 illustrates diagrammatically an enFET, i.e. a enzyme selectiveField Effect Transistor

FIG. 9 illustrates diagrammatically a triple FET configuration, with acommon shared reference electrode.

FIGS. 10A and 10B illustrate diagrammatically a 3-electrodeconfiguration, respectively in elevation view and top view.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

In the figures, the same references denote identical or similarelements.

FIGS. 1 and 2 show a toilet 100 whose overall structure is known.Conventionally, the toilet comprises a water reservoir 95, a bowl 10, atoilet seat 7 and a toilet cover 6.

Further, there is provided a urine analyzer device 1. For the sake ofexplanation, there are shown two different devices in the illustrationgiven in FIGS. 1 and 2, but of course the toilet can be equipped withonly one urine analyzer device.

This urine analyzer device is removably attached to the rim 11 of thebowl. To this end, the urine analyzer device comprises a holder member9, to attach the device to the rim of the toilet bowl. The holder member9 exhibits a width comprised between 3 cm and 10 cm, and a smallthickness to lodge between the upper border of the bowl rim 11 and thelower border of the seat 7, in other words the thickness is slightlysmaller than the available gap G defined by the seat spacer pads 71.(see FIGS. 6A & 6B).

The urine analyzer device comprises a urine reception area 2, locatedinside the bowl.

There may be provided a possibility of movement of the reception area 2with regard to the bowl body, toward the center of the bowl, which willbe detailed later. The urine reception area 2 is arranged to be located,when it is at rest position in the peripheral flow of flushing water,for rinsing purpose and possibly recalibration purpose.

The urine analyzer device comprises an electronic unit 4, enclosed in ahousing. The housing is preferably watertight. The urine analyzer devicecomprises a battery 48, a wireless coupler 5, such as Bluetooth wirelesscoupler, an indicator Led 14 and possibly an small loudspeaker orbeeper/buzzer 15.

Additionally, there may be provided a microphone 19, a fingerprint pad47 whose purpose will be given later.

According to one embodiment, there is provided a housing in a monolithicfashion, which includes, besides the electronic unit 4, also the batteryand an extension member bearing the urine reception area 2.

According to another embodiment, the holder member 9 can be distinctfrom the housing including the electronic unit, the housing beingattached in a fixed manner or in articulated manner to the holder member9. The electronic unit 4 can be arranged with the holder member 9 in asingle housing.

The device according the present invention is rather small, and itsweight is less than 200 g, preferably less than 150 g.

The urine reception area 2 is permeable to water and/or urine.

The urine reception area 2 comprises at least a electro-chemical sensor3. The electro-chemical electrode sensor 3 is configured to measure aquantity of at least one chemical substance, such as a physiologicalcompound or other chemical component including ions, contained in urine.

The term “physiological compound” should be understood as any chemicalspecies naturally contained in the human body, from the simplest ions toproteins and amino acids.

The term “chemical component” should be understood as some chemicalspecies that are not naturally contained in the human body, like drugs,lead (Pb), mercury (Hg) and so on.

Among the substances which are targeted are the following:

-   hydrogen ions (reflecting pH index)-   Sodium, Potassium, Calcium, Magnesium, Chloride,-   H₂O₂ (Hydrogen peroxide)-   Glucose/Proteins/Oestrogenes/luteinine Hormone/Beta-HCG Hormone    (pregnancy marker)/Creatinin/PSA Antigen (prostate disorder marker).

As some examples among others, here below are the range and sensitivityof electro-chemical sensor with regard to particular substances:

luteinine Hormone from 0.2 mUl/ml to 80 mUl/ml sensitivity: 0.2 mUl/mlCreatinin from 5 mg/ml to 20 mg/ml sensitivity: 1 mg/ml Albumin from 75μg/ml to 750 μg/ml sensitivity: 30 μg/ml

Among the physiological ions which are targeted are the following: H+,Na+, K+, Mg2+, Ca2+, Cl—,

There may be provided more than one electro-chemical sensor, eachspecialized in detecting a subset of the above-mentioned substances, asillustrated at FIG. 4A.

One particular type of electro-chemical sensor proposed is a ionselective Field Effect Transistor (abbreviated in ‘ISFET’), denoted 8and illustrated on FIG. 7.

ISFET principle relies on a silicon chip which, when placed in contactwith a test solution, urine sample in the present case, detects andmeasures the variable voltage potential between its surface andunderlying semiconductor material. This variable potential isproportional to the ion concentration in the sample, and is used todetermine the concentration of the ions of interest.).

In the case of pH measurement, pH value is a function of H+ ionconcentration. The ion sensitive membrane is formed by thesemi-conductor itself (SiO2, Si3N4, Al2O3 or Ta2O5) and forms the gateport 82.

In the case of other ions (Na+, Mg2+, Ca2+, K+, Cl—), a highly selectiveorganic membrane 81 specific to the respective ion of interest isarranged on top of the gate semiconductor 82, in other words theselective organic membrane 81 is interposed between the test solution(urine sample here) and the gate electrode.

Epoxy coating 87 isolates Drain and Source electrodes. As shown in FIG.7, such epoxy coating forms a cup in which the urine sample 18 is heldopposite the gate electrode without interfering with the rest of thesilicon layers, notably the substrate. Substrate is doped P, whereassource and drain pads are doped N in the disclosed non limitativeconfiguration.

ISFET also requires a reference electrode 80, which is placed at thegate area. The reference electrode 80 is held above the gate port of thetransistor, and a urine sample when present is interposed between thereference electrode and the gate port (G) of the transistor.

In one embodiment, the reference electrode 80 contains a referenceelectrolyte solution placed in a small container having an exchangewall. In one particular embodiment, it can be a small container made ofaluminum with the exchange wall being a ceramic foil.

The reference electrode 80 may be placed on the same chip as the rest ofthe transistor or externally. The reference electrode 80 is electricallycoupled to a gate reference voltage denoted VGR.

The exchange of ions between the urine sample 18 and the electrolytecontained in the reference electrode creates a Gate trigger voltage atthe gate port (G) of the transistor.

The reference electrode 80 may comprise a gel solution, or a gelcomposition. The solution contained therein is gradually consumed and/orgradually leaks out of reference electrode.

According to one particular option, the leakage rate can be slowed ifthe reference electrode remains immersed in flushing water a certaintime.

Alternatively, the reference electrode 80 may comprise powder or solidcompound.

Alternatively, the reference electrode 80 may be constituted by ametallic compound.

The concentration of ion of interest reflects in the voltage of the gateport 82 and the current flowing between the Drain and Source electrodereflects in turn in an amplified fashion the concentration of ion ofinterest. Current flow and/or [VD-VS] voltage is used by the electronicunit 4 to determine ion concentration.

Measurement

pH value is an index reflecting concentration of H+ ions. The ionsensitive membrane is the semiconductor made as a top deposited layer ofthe transistor assembly connecting the drain and the source.

The gate electrode G portion of the transistor assembly is in directcontact with the test solution 18. After each use, water from flushingis advantageously used to rinse the gate area of the ISTET. The flushingwater is also advantageously used to recalibrate the sensor in case ofdrift with time, provided that the pH of tap water is known.

Other Ions

According to one option, there is provided an additional ISFET selectiveto other chemical species

-   -   Calcium (Cu2+). Calcium helps with muscle contractions, nerve        signaling, blood clotting, cell division, and        forming/maintaining bones and teeth.

Normal range of (Ca2+) concentration in urine is: [100-300] mg/day

A specific membrane selective to let the Ca2+ ions pass through is used.

-   -   Potassium (K+); it helps keeping blood pressure levels stable,        regulating heart contractions, helping with muscle functions.

Normal range of (K+) concentration in urine is: [25-100] mEq/day

A specific membrane selective to let the K+ ions pass through is used.

-   -   Magnesium (Mg2+).

Normal range of (Mg2+) concentration is [1.7-2.4] mg/day

-   -   Sodium (Na+)

Normal range of (Na+) concentration is: [100-260] mEq/day

-   -   Chloride (Cl—)

Normal range of (Cl—) concentration is: [80-250] mEq/day

Similarly specific membranes selective to let respectively Mg2+, Ca2+,K+, Na+, Cl— ions pass through are used.

Calibration and Recalibration

For each ISFET, the process of the periodic drop of calibration solutionand subsequent recalibration can be used as explained before for H+ andflush water.

A calibration solution (tap water or a specific calibration solution) isbrought into contact with the gate area and the measure is compared toan expected value, which allows to determine a deviation that is to becompensated for.

According to one option, the device may further comprise a calibrationsolution reservoir 88 arranged above the electrolyte sensor 3 toperiodically provide a drop of calibration solution on the ion selectiveField Effect Transistor. The drop of such calibration solution is usedto recalibrate the electrochemical sensor. This calibration solution maybe tap water or a specific solution.

A miniaturized control valve (not shown at the figures exceptschematically at FIG. 10B) is used to release the above-mentioned dropof calibration solution. Such drop can be programmed to occur everymonth. Generally speaking, the recalibration with the drop preferablyoccurs every period comprised in the range [15 days-45 days].

Another particular type of electro-chemical sensor proposed is abiological selective Field Effect Transistor, otherwise called enzymeselective Field Effect Transistor (abbreviated in ‘enFET’), denoted 8′and illustrated on FIG. 8.

The configuration is very similar what has been explained beforeregarding ISFET.

Filtering is here more elaborate and requires either an organic thinfiltration membrane specifically configured to let some targetedmolecules or a specific enzymatic membrane which reacts with the speciesof interest in the test sample. Reference 81′ denotes the enzymaticlayer which let the chemical species of interest go through, or reactswith the species of interest in the test sample.

The reference electrode 80 is electrically coupled to a gate referencevoltage denoted VGR. The exchange of ions between the urine sample 18and the reference electrode electrolyte creates a Gate trigger voltageat the gate port (G) of the transistor.

There may be provided optionally a surrounding counter electrode 89which is set at a reference voltage VDC, which may be different from thereference voltage VGR of the reference electrode.

Epoxy coating 87 form a cup in which the urine sample 18 is heldopposite the gate electrode without interfering with the rest of thesilicon layers, notably the substrate. Here by contrast to the ISFET,the selective layer is more complicated to assemble; an intermediatefoil denoted 84 is arranged on the silicon layers and the enzymeselective membrane 81′ is arranged on top of the intermediate foil 84.

H₂O₂

The inventors have found that Urinary hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) is anamazingly good biomarker of oxidative stress, defined as the imbalancebetween Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) production and antioxidant defenseinside human organism. Oxidative stress is a risk factor playing asignificant pathogenetic role for many diseases.

A specific membrane selective to let the H₂O₂ molecules pass through isused in a ISFET configuration.

Normal range of H₂O₂ in urine=15+/−9.8 μmol/L

Beta-HCG

Taking Beta-HCG Hormone (pregnancy marker) as another example, theenzymatic layer is designed to let only Beta-HCG Hormone pass across themembrane.

According to a particularly optimized configuration (not shown), theremay be provided a reference electrode, a working electrode and a counterelectrode, all arranged in a screen printed electrode configuration.

Generally speaking, there may be found several types FET sensor, eitherISFET 8 or enFET 8′ in the reception area 2, as illustrated in FIG. 4A,each one being selective to one ion type or one biological compound.Note that reference solution reservoir 88 may be either common to allthe FET sensors, or there may be provided several individual reservoirs,or even a mix between the two solutions.

In a particular configuration, illustrated at FIG. 4B, there may beprovided three ISFET devices, namely:

-   one (ref 8A) for measuring the concentration of H+ ions to determine    pH,-   one (ref 8B) for measuring the concentration of K+ ions to determine    the Potassium level,-   one (ref 8C) for measuring the concentration of Ca2+ ions to    determine Calcium level,

Of course additional ISFET for other ion species can be added to thisconfiguration.

According to a particularly optimized configuration shown at FIG. 9,there may be provided 3 ion selective Field Effect Transistors, with asame reference electrode 86. A first ion selective Field EffectTransistor has a selective membrane 81A and a underlying gate 82A. Asecond ion selective Field Effect Transistor has a selective membrane81B and a underlying gate 82B. A third ion selective Field EffectTransistor has a selective membrane 81C and a underlying gate 82C.

Apart from the electrolyte sensor, there may be provided an opticalsensor 6. This optical sensor 6 is used to measure the opacity of thesampled urine, the color of the sampled urine and the concentration ofthe sampled urine. A light emitter directs light rays toward a urinesample contained in a cup 24; a photodiode receives the transmittedlight power (may include a reflection on a mirror); one or several colorfilters can he interposed. Optical analysis is known and therefore notdetailed here. Urine density and color index can be assessed by theelectronic unit 4; personal biological ratings corresponding to Urinedensity and color index can thus be followed by the user. Content of thecup 24 may be purged by means of a miniaturized electro-valve.

Regarding some mechanical aspects, the device can be monolithic asschematically shown at FIG. 6A.

According to one variant shown at FIG. 4, the device may be formed astwo parts detachably associated to one another. A junction 92 with aconnector joins the housing enclosing the electronic unit 4 and thereception area 2. The reception part can be removed for deep cleaning orcompletely exchanged by a new one.

According to one option, there can be provided a degree of freedombetween the holder member and the reception area, as illustrated at FIG.6B. Axis A1 denotes a possible rotation motion to move the sensitivearea closer to the center of the bowl. This movement can be powered andcontrolled by the electronic unit 4.

However, at rest position, the urine reception area is preferablylocated adjacent to the internal wall of the bowl so it can receive atleast partly some flushing water flow. There may be provided a deflectorthat helps directing the flushing flow toward the urine reception areain order to rinse the urine reception area. Additionally, There may beprovided a purge valve that may be used to purge the content of theurine (or the water) retained inside the reception area; this also helpskeeping the reference electrode 80 in a liquid to minimize leakage andextend its lifetime.

Alternatively the movement can be manually generated, with a handle topull or a button to push and a linkage attached to a movable receptionpart.

The toilet in question may be used by several different users. Note thatmale and female hormones types and/or levels are always different; thisallows to recognize if a male user or a female user is using the toilet.

Also interesting is a member of mictions per night/per day.

One way to recognize one user among several users is to place a weightsensor in the toilet seat 7. Additionally or alternatively, there may beprovided contact electrodes to perform an impedance measurement; Aparticular signature is allocated to each user of the toilet, afterinitial teach-in proceedings. When the weight is used, a rather narrowrange is allocated to each user,

Another way is to provide a fingerprint sensing device 47.

Another way is to provide a microphone with a basic voice recognitionfunction such that a user of the toilet can just say a word (first name,or “it's me”, or “hello”) which is enough to distinguish one particularuser among a defined group of users (e.g. a family).

Another way is to provide contact ECG electrodes and a ECG analyzer inthe toilet seat, with one electrode in contact with one thigh andanother configured to he touched by a finger.

Whenever a urine sampling is performed with no user recognition, theresults is qualified as ‘non affected’ in the corresponding smartphoneapplication.

The system in which the urine analyzer device works includes a remotecomputing device 50. Any generally speaking “portable electronic device”can also be used, such as a smartphone, atablet, a phablet, a PDA, alaptop computer, or any like wireless enabled device that can sendand/or receive data through a wireless link 29. An applicationcorresponding to the urine analyzer device is provided in one or moresmartphone(s) if several users are involved,

For each user, a timechart with number of miction per day/night,evolution of pH and concentration of main chemical substance(s) can bedisplayed at the smartphone application.

The optional microphone 19 can he used to sense a flush sound signature.This provides automaticity of cleaning and recalibrating after toiletflush.

Regarding practical use, a female user has to direct the flow of urinetoward the reception area, helped by the above mentioned displacement ofthe sensitive area; a male user, whether sitting or standing, has todirect the flow of urine toward the reception area.

Another particular type of electro-chemical sensor proposed is a3-electrode configuration, denoted 8″ and illustrated on FIGS. 10A,10B.There are provided 3 electrodes on a non conductive substrate denotedNCS:

-   a reference electrode denoted REF (preferably kept at distance from    the reaction site in order to maintain the substrate at a known and    stable potential VREF),-   a working electrode denoted WRK through which a reactive current    flow is sensed-   a counter electrode denoted CT which conducts the current flowing    through the working electrode.

The working electrode serves as the transduction element in thebiochemical reaction (also known as redox electrode); a selective orreactive membrane 81″ (similar as explained above for enFET) isinterposed between the urine test sample and the working electrode.

A urine sample 18 is held momentarily in a containing volume delimitedby a border 58. At one location of the border there is provided a mouth59 equipped with a controlled valve VV.

The current IWC flowing between the respective terminals VW,VC ofworking electrode and the counter electrode reflects the concentrationof the species of interest.

The reference electrode is typically made from Ag/AgCl.

The working electrode is made of gold, carbon, diamond, platinum or anyother metal not prone to corrosion.

According to one option, the working electrode is preferably a borondoped diamond electrode.

1. A urine analyzer device configured to be installed in a toilet bowl,the device comprising: a holder member, to attach the device to thetoilet bowl, an electronic unit, enclosed in a housing, an opticalsensor to measure one or more optical properties of urine, a couplerconfigured to send measured data to a remote computing device.
 2. Thedevice of claim 1, further comprising a urine reception area, where theoptical sensor is to measure one or more properties of the sampled urineof the urine reception area.
 3. The device of claim 2, wherein the urinereception area forms a cup and the optical sensor comprises a lightemitter, which is configured to emits lights rays toward a urine samplecontained in a cup, and a photodiode.
 4. The device of claim 1, whereinthe optical sensor is in the housing.
 5. The device of claim 1, whereinthe device is monolithic.
 6. The device of claim 1, wherein one or moreoptical properties are: color of the urine, level of absorbance of lightby the urine, level of transmittance of light by the urine, opacity ofthe urine.
 7. The device of claim 1, wherein the electronic unit isconfigured to associate optical properties as measured by the opticalsensor to predetermined concentration levels of creatinine.
 8. Thedevice of claim 1, Wherein the electronic unit is configured to analyzethe measured one or more optical properties of the urine sample.
 9. Thedevice of claim 1, wherein the housing is watertight.
 10. The device ofclaim 1, further comprising a urine reception area, with at least oneelectro-chemical sensor, configured to measure a quantity of at leastone substance contained in urine, such as a physiological compound or achemical component, wherein the electro-chemical sensor comprises atleast one of: an ion selective Field Effect Transistor (ISFET)configured to sense levels of one or more physiological ions; an enzymeselective Field Effect Transistor (enFET) configured to sense levels ofone or more physiological compounds or chemical components; and a3-electrode sensing unit configured to sense levels of one or morephysiological compounds or chemical components.
 11. A system comprisinga device according to claim 1 and a remote computing device, wherein theurine analyzer device sends the optical property measurement data to theremote computing device.
 12. The system of claim 11, wherein the remotecomputing device is configured to compare data received from the devicewith predetermined optical property data stored at the remote computingdevice and/or at a remote database with which the remote computingdevice is configured to communicate with.
 13. The system of claim 12,wherein the remote computing device is configured to determine a generalconcentration level of the urine.